Laelia purpurata and lobata (type)

ifraser25(z11 Brazil)October 16, 2008

These are two of the most famous Brazilian flowers. The former (purpurata) is the national flower and the latter (lobata) the state flower of Rio de Janeiro. One of the highlights if you take the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain at this time of year is to see a huge colony of lobata in the trees below. Both have several attractive subspecies. Enjoy.